A travel guide for individuals with cardiac issues

Traveling is all about taking a break from the stressful routine. Ironically, it involves several stressful situations such as long queues at the airport or sitting in a car or bus for hours.  The fact that you will be away from your trusted doctor can be a cause of stress as well, especially if you have a heart condition.

We believe no disease should impact your wanderlust. While there are a number of factors that can increase the risk for travelers with cardiac issues, right planning and preparation can eliminate most. You just have to be more prudent than you were during your healthy days.

To help you travel without hassle, we have created a checklist for travelers with cardiac issues.

Discuss with your doctor

The safest way to travel is to travel with your doctor. It is also almost impossible unless you have married your doctor. So, the only option you have is to book an appointment and see your doctor before you even buy the ticket. Discuss your travel plans with your doctor and take some tests to ensure that you are fit enough for a flight or a cruise.

If your doctor feels you are good to go on the trip you have in mind, you probably are.

Choose your destination wisely

Of course, you want to travel wherever you feel like going, but we will be honest with you; some places are dangerous than others. With a not so healthy heart as a companion, you should focus on leisure and comfort more than adventure and exploration.

You should avoid higher altitude destinations such as mountainous regions. Lack of oxygen can put a lot of stress on your heart and can cause angina. You should also avoid extremely cold or hot places as extreme temperatures are not good for your heart. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors.

If you’re going for an overnight camping adventure with friends, make sure you have the necessary supplies including water and prescription meds. More importantly, get a green signal from your GP before embarking on the adventure.

Pack your medications

Never travel without your meds. In fact, pack more than you think you will need. More importantly, do make sure you know all regulations regarding traveling with medicines. Some countries may have stricter regulations than others. You should have your doctor’s prescription with you all the time. It will also help in case you lose your medicines during the trip.

If you have a pacemaker, keep your device identification card with you. It is important to inform the airport staff as it is not safe to pass through the security detectors. You can request to be hand-searched instead.

Prevent DVT

Deep Vein Thrombosis is one of the major risks for people with cardiac issues. Sitting in the same position for a longer period of time can cause blood clots to develop in veins. If these clots reach the vital organs, it can put you in a life-threatening situation. Your doctor can help you prevent DVT with the help of compression stockings. You can also minimize the risk by getting up from your seat now and then. Keep stretching your arms and legs from time to time. Drink more water to stay hydrated.

The risk of DVT is higher for flights longer than four hours. You can also choose multiple shorter flights to avoid the risk.

When in Rome!

After arriving at your destination, take some rest before you indulge in any other activity. Do not indulge in any activity that is too strenuous or stressful. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes to prevent unnecessary strain on your muscles or body. If you are staying at a hotel, discuss your medical condition with the management and get a list of relevant doctors in the proximity.

Last, review your traveler’s insurance to see if it covers your condition. If not, then it would be a wise decision to invest in one that keeps you covered in case of any cardiac event.

With a little planning, you can ensure a traveling experience just as amazing as it is for someone with a perfectly healthy heart.

Author Bio: Jenny Harrison is a passionate technology and lifestyle blogger. She loves to get engaged with the readers who are seeking for home, lifestyle and tech related information on the internet. She is a featured blogger at various high authority blogs and magazines in which she shared her research and experience with the vast online community. Follow her on twitter @MJennyHarrison for more updates.